In 1890 several prominent Cornwall citizens who lived on the mountain established the "Storm King Club" on deer Hill, a spur of Storm King Mountain. As the Club developed, the need for a golf course became evident and, in 1894, Messrs. James Wyld and Lawrence F. Abbott were appointed to a committee to investigate and report on the possibility of establishing a golf links. As a result of thier efforts the Highland Park Estates offered its property as a golf links at a nominal rent. A nine hole course was laid out by Willie Norton in consultation with George Low, one of the leading Scotch professionals of that day. By the summer of 1896 it was possible to play, and the first tournament for which a record exists was held on July 10, 1897. Mr. Elliott S. Benedict was the winner with a 64 for nine holes. In 1897 a modest clubhouse was erected and in 1911 tennis courts were installed thanks to the generosity of the late Dr. A. R. Ledoux, to whose untiring interest in its welfare for many years the Club is greatly indebted.

In the early days the golf affairs were controlled by a committee, but upon the disbanding in 1898 of the Storm King Club a somewhat informal organization called the Storm King Golf Club was inaugurated which continued until 1903, when on February 11^th the members met and adopted a constitution perpetuating the name.

In 1902 a few members of the Club, desiring that it should have permanent control to the land necessary for a golf links, organized the Highland Realty Company. The company purchased some 46 acres of land from the Hasbrouck Estate at a cost of $270 an acre. The land was leased to the Club at a rental of $50 a year, which amount was supposed to equal the taxes and other expenses imposed upon the owners. This lease was renewed from time to time unless taxes increased and then the rent was raised. The last lease, which expired in December 1922, recorded the rent as $250 per annum. In 1922 it was proposed that the Club should own its own land. To this end, in November of that year, the directors and shareholders of the Highland Realty Company unanimously voted to sell the Club the land it owned amounting to 44.15 acres for $13,000 – approximately what the Highland Realty Company had paid twenty years previous. At this meeting, Mr. C. C. Stillman suggested that the Highland Realty Company convey the land to him for $13,000, and that he, in turn, convey it to the Club for $8,000, thus making a contribution to the Club of $5,000. He proposed that in return he should reserve an option in the deed giving him and his heirs the privilege of purchasing the land if at any time the Club determined to sell. In furtherance of this plan, the Storm King Golf Club was, on January 25, 1923 incorporated under the laws of the State of New York and all members of the Storm King golf Club agreed to turn back to the Club all or part of their original investment. On February 9, 1923, the Storm King Golf Club was formally organized as a corporation and before the season’s play, the entire money necessary to purchase the land was subscribed. At this time it was also designated that the Club colors should be red and white and the seal would be in the form of a circle and shall bear the year of corporation.

With this finalization of purchase, the Club began a hub of activity. There were all kinds of tournaments: Ladies, Men’s, Invitational, Presidents Cup, as well as a Scotch Foursome, Approaching and Putting Competitions, One Club Contest and the Grandparents Clock Putting Match --- just to name a few.

The Club flourished and in the 30’s the young boys from town got an unexpected source of employment working as caddies. During this period, John Moore – better known as "Jack" – played an intregal part in opening up the membership to the townspeople. Players now came from all walks of life...Elting Breed, an Engineer working on Route 218, Father Thomas Pendergast, a priest from St. Thomas parish, Appleby Robinson, a retired Sea Captain, Moses Ely, a lawyer from New York, Billy Cavanaugh, the Boxing Coach from West Point, as well as the entire Golf team from West Point because as yet they had no course of their own. One member, Yank Toohey, even came down from Newburgh on the bus, carried his clubs up Hasbrouck Avenue, at times played 72 holes, then caught the bus back home.

The Canausa brothers were the first Storm King Golf Pros and in the publication Storm King Golf – 36^th Season – 1931 by Lawrence Abbott and Ralph Ogden, they write, "The success of any golf club rest in a large degree upon the character and efficiency of the Professionals in charge. In this respect the Storm King Golf Club is peculiarly fortunate. Messrs. Fred and Mike Canausa, one of whom may be always found at the Club House during the hours of play, are excellent players, competent and agreeable teaches and dependable in every respect. Their well managed shop is equipped to repair and take care of clubs, and they are prepared to give lessons and to furnish all kinds of golf supplies at reasonable prices. They are especially successful in their management of a reliable group of caddies. It is hoped that the members will give them cordial support and cooperation."

In the late 30’s the war in Europe seemed far removed from the little town of Cornwall, but following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, everyone’s lives were immediately changed and the Club was to reach its lowest point.

As many of the members marched off to war and gasoline rationing was started, the Board of Directors, fearing the Club would close, approached member Frank Moore and asked him to take over as Club Manager on a non-salaried basis. His only income would be a commission from equipment sales and green fees. Mr. Moore, son of John Moore, had a special devotion to the Club, having been part of it from the age of nine. With his wife Gladys, Frank began a labor of love that would span 38 years, sometimes working from sunrise to sunset to keep the Club solvent. Following Frank Moore'’ death in 1981, the Club named the Trophy Room in his honor. In memory of her father, Carol Moore McGowan and husband Ray McGowan donated the furnishings. A Frank Moore Tournament is also held annually, another tribute to Mr. Moore’s untiring dedication.

Surviving the war years, the Club welcomed the returning veterans as members, several were the caddies who had carried the clubs in the previous decade. One was Sam Gilardo, who except for those years defending his country, has devoted his life to keeping the course manicured and, to this day, tends the fairways as if they were his own front yard.

In Storm King Golf Clubs Officials and Committees and Tournament Schedules for the Season of 1971, men’s and women’s tournaments or events are shown scheduled for almost every weekend from May to October: Calcutta, Scotch Foursome, Member – Member, Pot Luck, Men’s Senior, Junior and the Braggarts and Gripers Tournament. Not to be outdone, the women held a Coffee Spoon, Blind Partner, Vice-President and President, Tombstone, Guys and Dolls Best Ball, Club Championship and Gripers Tourney for the non-winners.

It should be noted that during these years, member Frank Steen was a major benefactor of the Club and donated the money for macadamizing the cart paths. Another major improvement was the first sprinkling system with member Bob Hennessey at the helm.

In the 80’s and 90’s the Club continued to prosper, membership increased and the fairways were always busy. There was something for everybody: Women’s and Men’s Leagues, Bogie Busters, Skins Championship, Sadie Hawkins, Member-Member, Father/Son/Son-in-Law / Daughter, Presidents Cup, Club Championship, plus deceased member’s Memorial tournaments, and, the highlight of every week, a Scotch Foursome held on Friday nights. On the social end, picnics, barbeques, Las Vegas nights, costume parties, Super Bowl parties and pot luck dinners, hosted by a different husband and wife team every week. Many of the social activities were held outdoors or, if held indoors, overlapped into the screened porch. It soon became evident that the size of the Clubhouse was becoming too small for the expanded membership. So it was in the late 80’s that the Board voted to add the largest addition in the Club’s history... a dining room that would hold 135 – 140 members. This would also facilitate the service of the private managers who now ran the bar and food concession. Although many members were involved in this renovation, a plaque now hangs in the dining room thanking the following men for their unselfish spirit of volunteerism and generosity in making the finished product a source of pride to the Storm King Golf Club: Jack Davis, Gunner Gillick, Don Glynn, Bob Hall, Pat Harding, and Jack Whiteford.

After 100 years the Club has come a long way, but as it stands high on the hill overlooking the majestic Storm King Mountain, it is seen, in the eyes of the members, as the most beautiful and picturesque Club in the country, if not the world.